Golf training device

ABSTRACT

The device of the present invention is intended to assist in developing the correct swing of a golf club. Briefly, the device includes a base plate for locating or positioning the feet, a loop adapted for encircling the neck and a flexible link between the base plate and neck loop. The flexible link includes a pulley to hold the loop, a swivel and an adjustable break-a-way coupling which may be in the form of interlocking male and female parts, held together by magnetic attraction, which will disengage if an incorrect golf swing occurs.

United States Patent Schaus [151 3,677,551 [451 July 18, 1972 [54] GOLF TRAINING DEVICE [72] Inventor: Douglas I. Schaus, 462 Hilltop Road, El-

gin, 111. 60120 [22] Filed: July 26, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 165,965

[52] US. Cl. ..273/183 B, 273/188 R [51 Int. Cl. ..A63b 69/36 [58] Field of Search ..273/1 83, 188, 189, 190, 55

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,893,736 7/1959 Tesi ..273/l88R 3,442,513 5/1969 Fisher ..273/l88R Primary Examiner-George J. Marlo Attorney-John L. Hutchinson [57] ABSTRACT The device of the present invention is intended to assist in developing the correct swing of a golf club. Briefly, the device includes a base plate for locating or positioning the feet, a loop adapted for encircling the neck and a flexible link between the base plate and neck loop. The flexible link includes a pulley to hold the loop, a swivel and an adjustable break-a-way coupling which may be in the form of interlocking male and female parts, held together by magnetic attraction, which will disengage if an incorrect golf swing occurs.

7 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures Patented July 18, 1972 ey ff GOLF TRAINING DEVICE DESCRIPTIQN OF THE INVENTION Various types of apparatus and devices have been developed to train or assist in teaching a correct golf swing. Illustrative of such developments are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,561,960; 2,893,736; and 3,442,513. However, none of these developments are considered to establish an adequate correlation between the head, shoulders, hips and knees essential to develop a correct golf swing.

Accordingly, it is the principle object of this invention to provide a device which can be used in training a golfer in the development of a correct golf swing.

Another object is to provide a device of the above type which is mobile and may be readily transported in a small package.

A further object is to provide a golf training device which may be inexpensively manufactured in reasonably large volumes.

These and other objects will become readily apparent from the detailed disclosure hereinafter and the associated drawing.

IN THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the device of the present invention, partly in section.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view illustrating the device inuse by a golfer.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of the breaka-way coupling forming a part of the device.

In the drawings the numeral designates a base plate on which a golfer will stand when using the device of the invention. Attached to the base plate by an eyebolt 11 is a variable length flexible line 12, such as a quarter inch nylon rope. The line 12 may be adjusted to any desired length by such means as buckle 13.

The top end of line 12 is attached to a break-a-way coupling C. As shown, coupling C comprises two elements 15 and 18. Lower element 15 is provided with a recess 16 adapted to receive and temporarily retain the male member 17 of upper element 18 until separated under the influence of a force created by a golf swing.

The lower element 15 is also provided with means to vary the force or tension needed to separate the two elements of the coupling. As shown, a spring 20 is positioned in the side of the lower element 15 having a portion extending into the recess 16. A threaded screw 21 is disposed laterally in the wall of the element 15 with its inner end in contact with the spring. By moving the adjusting screw 21 inward or outward, the spring may be moved into or out of the recess. The relative position of the spring within the side of the recess 16 will correspondingly vary the force required to remove the male member 17 from the recess 16 after its insertion. A stop plate 22 is also provided surrounding the rear end of the male member 16. It will be understood that the coupling elements could be disposed in reverse position and achieve the same result.

A guard 24 is provided, having one end attached to lower coupling element 15 and the other end attached to upper coupling element 18. The guard may comprise a small nylon cord or line and serves to keep the two elements of the coupling loosely associated after disengagement, whereby they may be readily retrieved for re-engagement.

Upper coupling element 18 is attached to a 360 swivel S which in turn is connected to a pulley P provided with freely rotatable wheels 25.

Journaled through the pulley P is a rope loop 26 adapted to encircle the neck of a user and ride on wheels 25. In order to avoid irritation of the neck, the loop 26 may be enclosed in a Further, the coupling may be disposed in positions other than that shown and at any point intermediate of the base plate and loop 26, such as at the junction of the line 12 and the base plate or between the loop 26 and the swivel S. As can be seen, the line 12, break-a-way coupling and swivel form a flexible linkage between the base plate and loop.

In describing the use and operation of the device, reference will be made to the figures of the drawing. Initially, the golfer will connect the two elements of the coupling C by inserting male member 17 of element 15 into recess 16 of element 18. The desired tension is then placed on the spring 20 by means of the screw 21. The length of the line 12 may then be adjusted to suit the height of the golfer. Normally, the distance between the loop 26 and the base plate 10 should be such that, when the device is in position on the golfer, his knees will be slightly bent to the extent desired for a correct golf swing.

After all adjustments are made, the golfer will place his feet on the base plate 10, one foot on each side of the point at which the line is connected to the base plate. The loop 26 is then slipped over the head and lowered to encircle the neck whereby the flexible line will be centered between the golfers legs and adjacent to but spaced forward of the front of the body. At this point, the proper stance: for swinging a golf club should be established substantially as shown in FIG. 2.

With the club correctly held in the hands of the golfer and the device in place, a swing of the club can then be undertaken. By reason of the arrangement of elements as described above, a proper swing of the club will permit the body to move in the correct manner until, during the course of the follow-through, the two elements of the coupling will separate. The swivel S and pulley P will simultaneously permit proper movement of the head and body in the manner normally desired for a correct golf swing without disengaging the elements of the coupling.

However, should the head be raised before the swing has been completed, or should the general alignment of the body be changed from other than that required for a desired swing, the elements of the coupling will promptly disengage before the swing has been completed. Separation of the elements of the coupling prior to the completion of the desired followthrough indicates an improper swing.

It will be apparent that, by repeatedly using the device of the invention and concentrating on a swing which will not result in a premature disengagement of the coupling elements, a golfer will learn to develop the proper swing.

One present theory for teaching a correct golf swing includes the concept that there is a point in the neck which should remain substantially fixed throughout a golf swing, even though the head and body may turn in completing a swing. A device of the type described herein supports the use of such a theory by its construction and assembly of elements in that it permits movement of head and body while maintaining an imaginary fixed point in the nape of the neck substantially immobile.

Having described the invention and certain exemplary embodiments, the same is only intended to be limited by the scope of the following claims.

Iclaim:

l. A device for assisting a golfer in developing a proper swing comprising in combination a base plate, a loop for encircling the neck, a flexible link between said base plate and loop, and two interlocking releasable complimentary elements disposed intermediate of said base plate and loop and comprising a part of said flexible link.

2. A device as described in claim 1 which includes a swivel disposed intermediate of said base plate and loop and comprising a part of said flexible link.

3. A device as described in claim 2 including means for varying the force required to separate said complimentary elements.

4. A device as described in claim 3 wherein one of said complimentary elements comprise a male member and the other element includes a recess adapted to receive said male member.

5. A device as described in claim 4 including a safety guard attached to each of said elements to prevent their complete disassociation upon disengagement.

6. A device as described in claim 5 including means for adjusting the length of said flexible link.

7. A device as described in claim 1 wherein the interlocking elements are held together by magnetic attraction. 

1. A deVice for assisting a golfer in developing a proper swing comprising in combination a base plate, a loop for encircling the neck, a flexible link between said base plate and loop, and two interlocking releasable complimentary elements disposed intermediate of said base plate and loop and comprising a part of said flexible link.
 2. A device as described in claim 1 which includes a swivel disposed intermediate of said base plate and loop and comprising a part of said flexible link.
 3. A device as described in claim 2 including means for varying the force required to separate said complimentary elements.
 4. A device as described in claim 3 wherein one of said complimentary elements comprise a male member and the other element includes a recess adapted to receive said male member.
 5. A device as described in claim 4 including a safety guard attached to each of said elements to prevent their complete disassociation upon disengagement.
 6. A device as described in claim 5 including means for adjusting the length of said flexible link.
 7. A device as described in claim 1 wherein the interlocking elements are held together by magnetic attraction. 